CHAPTER 212: HEY BUDDY, CAN I BUM A CIGARETTE?

Tian Sangsang wasn’t someone who struggled to sleep in unfamiliar places; she could usually fall asleep anywhere. So that night, after Jiang Jinghuai set up his bedding on the floor, she went to the bathroom, slipped into her private space to soak in a rose bath, then applied a face mask before changing into her oversized pale lavender nightgown. She grabbed the new, freshly bought thin quilt and lay down on the bed.

The darkness was strikingly silent. She reached out to hold her son’s soft little body close.

Meng Shuyan’s tiny body shifted slightly, instinctively snuggling into her arms as he murmured softly, "Mama. Papa."

Tian Sangsang froze for a moment, then gently patted his back. Sure enough, he stopped calling and quickly quieted down.

Having a grown man in the room inevitably made her feel somewhat uncomfortable. It carried a faint sense of intrusion into her personal space. After all, it had always just been her and her son sharing their secret haven before now.

Tian Sangsang suddenly realized that she might be a woman with a strong sense of control—neither advancing nor retreating, just fiercely guarding her own territory.

Even though she wasn’t picky about where she slept, she was still awake. In the middle of the night, in the bedroom where shadows wavered in the blackness, Tian Sangsang turned over, opened her eyes.

The curtains were half drawn, and the moonlight spilled faintly through. There appeared to be a woman hanging in the window, her face pale, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, floating against the glass.

Tian Sangsang’s heart skipped wildly. She raised her hand to rub her eyes, but nothing unusual could be seen on the window.

She shut her eyes firmly, then opened them again. The woman in the window was staring at her with wide eyes...

Her face was somewhat indistinct, but Tian Sangsang could tell at a glance that it was a beautiful face. Half of it was veiled by the curtain, while the other half was exposed. It was hard to make out clearly.

Suppressing the urge to scream, Tian Sangsang pulled the quilt up to her neck and glanced at the floor, making sure Jiang Jinghuai was still there.

Thank goodness, there was at least another living person here!

Could it be—damn it—Jiang Jinghuai had messed around and gotten himself entangled in some sort of romantic debt? Now someone was haunting the window!

Wait a minute—why did that face seem a little familiar?

This must be a hallucination, definitely a hallucination. She comforted herself, clutching her son closer. As her heartbeat gradually steadied, she cautiously peeked at the window again. It was nothing but the hazy darkness of the night.

After sleeping for barely a dozen minutes, Tian Sangsang woke up again, feeling like there was some faint noise outside.

She pulled the quilt up over her son and stealthily got out of bed. Skirting around Jiang Jinghuai, she silently opened the door.

As the door closed, Jiang Jinghuai’s deep black eyes flickered faintly.

The living room was pitch black. Tian Sangsang lit her way with a flashlight, calling softly, "Kunling, is that you?"

"It’s me." A woman’s gentle voice sounded, and a pair of icy hands settled on her waist from behind.

Tian Sangsang turned, aiming the flashlight at the side of her face. Only then did she relax. She lowered her voice, asking, "Why aren’t you sleeping at this hour? Was that person at the window earlier you?"

"It was me." Guan Kunling nodded slightly. "I came to have a look."

Tian Sangsang glanced toward the bedroom door and pulled her to the sofa, sitting her down. She placed the flashlight on the table, its beam lighting up half of the living room.

"Are you in some kind of trouble? What did Lu Chi decide about you?"

"I have to leave."

"What?"

"I can’t stay in the military anymore."

Tian Sangsang froze. Then, her anger flared up. "Why? That’s not fair—Li Qiong’er’s miscarriage had nothing to do with you!"

"Sangsang, don’t get worked up. I was only there to train for a while anyway, and leaving now suits me just fine." Straightening up, she looked at her with a hint of grievance in her voice. "Lu Chi said joining the military meant you’d get a gun, but he was lying. Doctors don’t get guns."

"So you joined just to play house? You were there for the guns?"

"But it’s okay. I’ve already found one." Guan Kunling’s tone carried a subtle cheerfulness. She pulled a gun from behind her, its rich black-gold sheen gleaming faintly on the table. Tian Sangsang curiously reached out to touch it, weighing it in her hand. "Pretty heavy. This is the real deal."

"Things like this are dangerous. Be careful not to let anyone see it. Otherwise, they might accuse you of theft."

Guan Kunling nodded solemnly. "I’ll follow your advice, Master."

Master. Those two words always gave Tian Sangsang a bad feeling. Guan Kunling only called her that in moments of critical importance.

"What are you planning to do now?"

"You once said the world is vast, so I want to go explore." Guan Kunling replied.

She used to say "Master" all the time, but now, suddenly, she was talking about leaving. How could Tian Sangsang not overthink it?

Tian Sangsang frowned. "Where will you go?"

"Don’t worry about me; I’ve got somewhere in mind."

"Why don’t I help you find a place to stay?" Tian Sangsang thought for a moment. "I’m new here and unfamiliar with the area, but let’s find a place. Once I get settled, you can come stay with me. You said it yourself—I’m your Master, and I must take care of your food, clothing, and shelter."

Guan Kunling smiled gratefully, her expression softening. "But I still have to go. You and Yanyan will be looked after by the mister. That puts my heart at ease. Sangsang, trust me—I’ll be back soon."

"Do you really have to leave?"

Guan Kunling nodded.

"In the middle of the night?"

Guan Kunling nodded again.

"Do you have anything to eat?"

Guan Kunling shook her head.

Tian Sangsang turned off the flashlight and looked around. Groping for something, she placed it into Guan Kunling’s hand. "I can’t help you much, but here—this is for you."

"What is this?" Guan Kunling felt the smooth surface with her hand.

Tian Sangsang held her hand and whispered, "It’s a Snickers. Satisfy your hunger. Regain yourself."

**

Tian Sangsang crept back to bed, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling.

In the stillness, there was a faint rustling sound. She turned her head and saw a tall shadow—it was Jiang Jinghuai. Maybe he was getting up for water or heading to the bathroom. Tian Sangsang didn’t think much of it.

But.

Why was he taking so long?

Tian Sangsang turned her head again, suspicious. It had to be over ten minutes by now.

Click. The door opened.

Tian Sangsang instinctively closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

A faint scent of tobacco drifted to her nose. She sniffed it. No mistake—it was the smell of smoke...

Where could that smoke smell be coming from in the middle of the night?

The scent wasn’t too strong or too light—just perfectly balanced.

Tian Sangsang lifted her quilt, sat up, and looked across the room. Dots of dim firelight flickered—Jiang Jinghuai was sitting in the corner of the room, smoking.

After making sure her son’s quilt was tucked in, Tian Sangsang adjusted the hem of her nightgown, stepped barefoot to the floor, and walked over to sit beside him.

"Hey." Tian Sangsang tilted her head, her eyes shining in the dark. "Hey, buddy, can I bum a smoke?"

Jiang Jinghuai looked startled. "What did you just call me?"

"Fellow travelers stranded in the same corner of the world. Brothers unite under these stars." Tian Sangsang rubbed her dry eyes and patted his shoulder playfully. "My brain’s a mess right now. Lend me one puff of your cigarette. Don’t be so stingy—come on, just one puff."

In the darkness, Jiang Jinghuai’s expression couldn’t be discerned, but when she rested her hand on his shoulder, his body visibly tensed, his senses flooded by her faint floral scent. It felt as though the air itself shimmered with a thin layer of moonlight. Gradually, her lips became distinct, their color slowly sharpening.

A soft blush.